Bridgeton pioneer. (Bridgeton, N.J.) 1884-1919, 1887-03-10
THE CHANGERS.
Hon. D. I'll. Things Address to
the Farmers.


| was meeting called to hear an adj
| dress by Hon. d. II. Thing, Of Maine,
| on the needs Of farmers. Preceding
the speaker of the afternoon, Worthy
Master Of State Grange of Patrons of
Husbandry, Mr.. Cole, of Woodstown,
made a few remarks of an interesting
character, speaking of the Grange, its
| organization and mission. He was
very well received, and afterward the
speaker of the afternoon was intro
duced. Mr.. Thing is a man of COM
manding appearance, standing six feet
high and as straight as an arrow. He
has a pleasant face, sandy whiskers,
high forehead and gray hair. His
manner Of speaking is conventional
and entertaining At the commence
ment he said that the Grange was for
| the benefit of the farmer and his fam
lily. The Order was widespread. and
in it's help Of the farmers helped every
business and business man. He told
of the characteristics of the Grangers
as he had met them in various parts of
the country, and how every member
of the noble Order, no matter where
| you find him, is worthy citizen-a
| sturdy, honest man, and useful man.
The Order Of Husbandry he claimed,
| had done more for agricultural legisla-
| ton than all the other societies in the
| country combined. He claimed for
the Order widespread influence, and
| those people who think the Grange is
on the decline are far from right, as
the strength of the organization is just
now being shown The Order had
reared up mighty and entertaining
press, which was read everywhere
| with satisfaction. He then spoke of
the great country, how its products
of food and meat were enough for all
and to spare. The crops are large, and
yet each year you hear more dissatis-
faction among farmers because the
business does not pay.
Twenty years ago, when the National
Grange was formed, it met with much
opposition because of the differences
existing between the farmers OF the
North and South. The war was just
over, and enmitY still ranked in
the hearts of both sides. Then it was
that the Grange failed to accomplish
anything. But now it is different. He
| spoke of the legislation which, after
many years of work and struggle, had
been brought about through the
Grange. The farmers of the West had
| found themselves in the hands of mo-
nopoly. They could not dispose of
their grain until it had been through
the elevator, where a toll had to be
paid. The board OF eveners had to
have little fee also, while the rail
road companies made them pay just
what they wanted. The Grange set
about remedying the evil, and have at
last, through Senator Reagan, of Texas,
succeeded in getting bill passed that
will greatly help them-a law that the
companies must have a uniform price
for shipping, whether the shipper be a
small OR great one. Senator Edmunds,
of Vermont, said, when voting on the
the bill, that the ''people had right
to be heard" and so they have.
1t was through the National Grange
that the bill was passed which gives
to the Cabinet of the President one
other Secretary, that of Agriculture.
This is very important measure, and
one that will prove of great value to
all tillers of the soil. He compared
the appropriations Of the Government
| for naval, and hundreds of other pur-
poses, with that of agriculture, and
showed how contemporary had the
greatest industry of the country been
| treated.
| He called attention to the oleomargar
inc law which has recently been passed,
and gave it as triumph of the Ma
ton Grange. More appropriations
were needed, and it seemed, from pres
ent points of view that they would be
granted. Another important point
| that he sought to impress upon the
minds of his hearers was that United
States Senators should be elected by
the people. Thus would better and
more capable men servein our National
Legislative halls.
For over two hours the honorable
gentleman closely held the attention
of the farmers present. He told many
important needs of the farmer which,
unfortunately we have not space to
mention. His address was inter
spersed with amusing anecdotes, which
entertained the listener. The doctrines
he advocated seemed sound, and many
of the audience present seemed to
agree with them. Many outbursts of
approval were shown by vigorous ap-
plauding. He seems to have the inter-
est of the farmers at heart thoroughly